Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Desparate And Itching Again

skyyblues

Recommended Posts

skyyblues Newbie
skyyblues
Posted

Hello - I am desparate and hoping to find answers.....

Symptoms: Dishydrotic Exzema - Mainly hands but also arms, legs, chest, and recently face.

Diarrhea - 10 - 15min after eating - sometimes stabbing pains

Arthritis in knee

Leg cramps

Throat closes - Occaisonally happens when swallowing (unknown trigger)

Steroids: Prednisone - Nov and Dec 08 / Apr 09

Kenalog - Shots 2x in Jan 09

Medications: Omeprazole 20mg 2x day - Indestion 3/09

Simvastin 40 mg 1 day - Cholestoral 3/09

Ranitidine 150mg 2x day - trying to reduce acid in body to help exzema

Fexofenadine 180mg 2x day - allergy symptoms exzema

Singular 10mg 1 day - allergy symptoms exzema

Hydroxyzine 10mg up to 3 at bedtime - for severe itching at night to sleep

Benadryl - itching

I had some allergies as a child. Exzema on back of thighs never diagnosed cleared up. 2 1/2 yrs ago while changing jobs had new carpet and linoleum installed at which time I started to break out on legs and hands, spreading to arms. Kept seeing dr's none of which had any clue. June 07 had allergy tests which showed cabbage, formaldehyde, and several other perservatives. Got allergy somewhat under control in 08 until I had a root canal in Sept. Started to break out again. Allergy doc put me on prednisone(hate it). Had severe breakout and staph infection on hand in Jan. At that time they did a biopsy of my hand and I just inquired and it was not DH. Had just finished prednisone so they shot me with kenalog twice within a week and a half. Hands got somewhat better. March thighs broke out, hands worse, arms and chest also broke out. Saw my GP for regular check up and when he saw me he asked if anyone ever tested for Celiac Sprue. I said no, so he ordered blood tests. I did research. Wow could this be it??? Blood tests came back negative, but told that can happen (would steroids affect test results?). Doc said go ahead and try gluten free. Stomach is better than it has ever been!! Yeah. Was out of town 1st week of gluten free and arms and legs started to fade and couldn't see new blisters on hands!! On Thurs nite eye itching. Friday still itching starts swelling.... Friday nite when lips started to numb went to ER. Prednisone and Benadryl again... I am weaning off prednisone as quickly as possible and doc has sent me for consult with Gastro doc to do enoscopy for biopsy. I know I will have to go back to eating "poison" for correct testing. Thought of running to bathroom with pain not pleasant but I am willing to do anything at this point.

I am sorry for such a long post but am feeling at my wits end. Doctors call me a freak, friends and family are somewhat supportive but think I am just going to get a shot and be fine. My hands are cycling horribly, my thighs are broke out a little and I just want to cry at my own private pity party..... :( ......Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.

Becky - Racine, WI

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ang1e0251 Contributor
ang1e0251
Posted

You are Not a freak. You are sick. People, dr's included, are judgemental. Gluten can cause all the symptoms you described. It might not be your only problem but your dietary response is dramatic. It is affecting you.

Keep us posted. No one else might understand but we do.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. trents
      - trents replied to catnapt's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      Welcome, @catnapt! The most recent guidelines are the daily consumption of a minimum of 10g of gluten (about the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for a minimum of two weeks. But if possible stretching that out even more would enhance the chances of getting valid test results. These guidelines are for those who have been eating gluten free for...
    2. catnapt
      - catnapt posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      after several years of issues with a para-gland issue, my endo has decided it's a good idea for me to be tested for celiac disease. I am 70 yrs old and stunned to learn that you can get celiac this late in life. I have just gradually stopped eating most foods that contain gluten over the past several years- they just make me feel ill- although I...
    3. trents
      - trents replied to McKinleyWY's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      4

      Accuracy of testing concerns

      The biopsy looks for damage to the mucosal lining of the small bowel from the inflammation caused by celiac disease when gluten is ingested. Once you remove gluten from the diet, inflammation subsides and the mucosal lining begins to heal.
    4. Theresa2407
      - Theresa2407 replied to chrish42's topic in Doctors
      4

      Doctors and Celiac.com

      Our support groups in Iowa have tried for years to educate doctors and resource sites like this one. We have held yearly conferences with continued education classes. We have brought in Dr. Murray, Dr. Fasano, Dr. Green and Dr. elliott. In those many years we may have had 2 doctors attend. We sent them information, with no response. I talked to...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to suek54's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      4

      Awaiting dermatitis herpetiformis confirmation following biopsy

      If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,254
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Christie Fassel
    Newest Member
    Christie Fassel
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome, @catnapt! The most recent guidelines are the daily consumption of a minimum of 10g of gluten (about the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for a minimum of two weeks. But if possible stretching that out even more would enhance the chances of getting valid test results. These guidelines are for those who have been eating gluten free for a significant amount of time. It's called the "gluten challenge". 
    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      after several years of issues with a para-gland issue, my endo has decided it's a good idea for me to be tested for celiac disease. I am 70 yrs old and stunned to learn that you can get celiac this late in life. I have just gradually stopped eating most foods that contain gluten over the past several years- they just make me feel ill- although I attributed it to other things like bread spiking blood sugar- or to the things I ate *with* the bread or crackers etc   I went to a party in Nov and ate a LOT of a vegan roast made with vital wheat gluten- as well as stuffing, rolls and pie crust... and OMG I was so sick! the pain, the bloating, the gas, the nausea... I didn't think it would ever end (but it did) and I was ready to go the ER but it finally subsided.   I mentioned this to my endo and now she wants me to be tested for celiac after 2 weeks of being on gluten foods. She has kind of flip flopped on how much gluten I should eat, telling me that if the symptoms are severe I can stop. I am eating 2-3 thin slices of bread per day (or english muffins) and wow- it does make me feel awful. But not as bad as when I ate that massive amnt of vital wheat gluten. so I will continue on if I have to... but what bothers me is - if it IS celiac, it seems stupid for lack of a better word, to intentionally cause more damage to my body... but I am also worried, on the other hand, that this is not a long enough challenge to make the blood work results valid.   can you give me any insight into this please?   thank you
    • trents
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By trents · Posted

      The biopsy looks for damage to the mucosal lining of the small bowel from the inflammation caused by celiac disease when gluten is ingested. Once you remove gluten from the diet, inflammation subsides and the mucosal lining begins to heal. 
    • Theresa2407
      Doctors and Celiac.com

      By Theresa2407 · Posted

      Our support groups in Iowa have tried for years to educate doctors and resource sites like this one.  We have held yearly conferences with continued education classes.   We have brought in Dr. Murray, Dr. Fasano, Dr. Green and Dr. elliott.  In those many years we may have had 2 doctors attend.  We sent them information, with no response.  I talked to my personal doctor and she said their training for Celiac was to show them a skinny man in boxer shorts and a huge stomach.  Saying if you see this, it is Celiac.  If it isn't in their playbook then they don't care.  Most call it an allergy with no mention of our immune system.  There is so much false information on the internet.  Then people don't understand why they can't get well and are acquiring more immune diseases. I mention this site to everyone.  Scott has working hard for the Celiac community.
    • Scott Adams
      Awaiting dermatitis herpetiformis confirmation following biopsy

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.